Cost of Living Comparison Between Chandler, AZ and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chandler, AZ and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,786 in Chandler, AZ versus $3,066 in Chicago, IL.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,096 in Chandler, AZ versus $4,583 in Chicago, IL.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,405 in Chandler, AZ versus $6,100 in Chicago, IL.

Living in Chandler, AZ costs roughly 9% less than in Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Chandler, AZ 107% above, Chicago, IL 128% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.48 $18.48

$20.53 $20.53

-9.99%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$74.5 $74.5

$102 $102

-26.68%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.39 $10.39

$12.03 $12.03

-13.63%

Cappuccino

$4.67 $4.67

$5.62 $5.62

-16.90%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.82 $2.82

$3.07 $3.07

-8.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83 $1.83

$2.42 $2.42

-24.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.84 $5.84

$6.98 $6.98

-16.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.85 $6.85

$8.10 $8.10

-15.43%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.85 $0.85

$1.08 $1.08

-21.30%

White Bread (500g)

$3.26 $3.26

$3.95 $3.95

-17.47%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.65 $2.65

$5.52 $5.52

-51.99%

Eggs

$4.30 $4.30

$4.55 $4.55

-5.49%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.87 $10.87

$14.58 $14.58

-25.45%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.81 $10.81

$14.91 $14.91

-27.50%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.25 $15.25

$18.83 $18.83

-19.01%

Apples (1kg)

$3.59 $3.59

$5.34 $5.34

-32.77%

Banana (1kg)

$1.49 $1.49

$1.76 $1.76

-15.34%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.39 $4.39

-27.56%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.70 $3.70

$4.37 $4.37

-15.33%

Potato (1kg)

$2.40 $2.40

$2.55 $2.55

-5.88%

Onion (1kg)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.78 $2.78

-10.79%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.28 $1.28

$2.46 $2.46

-47.97%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.44 $1.44

$2.66 $2.66

-45.86%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.07 $9.07

$14.74 $14.74

-38.47%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.28 $15.28

$15.17 $15.17

0.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.94 $1.94

$2.45 $2.45

-20.82%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$3.68 $3.68

-33.97%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.01 $3.01

$2.52 $2.52

19.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$105 $105

$74.5 $74.5

40.68%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.81 $2.81

$3.29 $3.29

-14.59%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.43 $1.43

-3.50%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.40 $29.40

$24.86 $24.86

18.26%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$1.09 $1.09

-12.84%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$31.9K $31.9K

$31.3K $31.3K

1.96%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.2K $26.2K

$26.8K $26.8K

-2.20%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$213 $213

$187 $187

13.77%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$58.8 $58.8

$62.4 $62.4

-5.79%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$80.4 $80.4

$67.1 $67.1

19.74%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.70 $30.70

$75.2 $75.2

-59.16%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.84 $14.84

$13.17 $13.17

12.68%

Cinema Ticket

$10.72 $10.72

$15.21 $15.21

-29.52%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,096 $1,096

$2,039 $2,039

-46.26%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.5K $15.5K

$39.3K $39.3K

-60.49%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.3 $50.3

$64.0 $64.0

-21.34%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.44 $38.44

$50.6 $50.6

-24.02%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.6 $84.6

$95.4 $95.4

-11.34%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$104 $104

$144 $144

-27.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,633 $1,633

$2,355 $2,355

-30.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,441 $1,441

$1,613 $1,613

-10.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,559 $2,559

$4,728 $4,728

-45.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,541 $2,541

$2,754 $2,754

-7.73%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,549 $3,549

$3,803 $3,803

-6.68%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,490 $3,490

$2,580 $2,580

35.27%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,897 $4,897

$4,738 $4,738

3.37%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.54

6.6

-0.91%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Chandler, AZ: April 11, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,633 in Chandler, AZ and $2,355 in Chicago, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Chandler, AZ pays 3% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $75 in Chandler, AZ vs $102 in Chicago, IL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $339 vs $447 per month, with Chandler, AZ cheaper across the board.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Chandler, AZ vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chandler, AZ is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 10% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

Chandler, AZ pays 3% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Rent for a central apartment: $1,633 in Chandler, AZ versus $2,355 in Chicago, IL. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 32% higher in Chicago, IL. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Dining out is cheaper in Chandler, AZ – a meal for two runs $75.0 versus $102 in Chicago, IL. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Chandler, AZ is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.

For families, Chandler, AZ is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Chicago, IL, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.

Expats usually find Chandler, AZ gentler on the wallet – expenses run 10% less than in Chicago, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.